CN113645892A

CN113645892A - Endoscope system and parameter control device

Info

Publication number: CN113645892A
Application number: CN201980094797.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 柳原江莉香; 谷伸介
Original assignee: Olympus Corp
Current assignee: Olympus Corp
Priority date: 2019-01-31
Filing date: 2019-01-31
Publication date: 2021-11-12
Also published as: JP7187585B2; JPWO2020157909A1; US20220000336A1; WO2020157909A1

Abstract

An endoscope system (1) is provided with an endoscope (2), a video processor (3), and a parameter control device (5). A parameter control device (5) controls a plurality of parameters used in the endoscope (2) and the video processor (3) to cause the endoscope (2) and the video processor (3) to execute predetermined processing. A parameter control device (5) is provided with a data collection unit (51), an operation mode determination unit (52), and a parameter determination unit (53). An operation pattern determination unit (52) selects one or more operation patterns from a power consumption reduction pattern, a wireless transmission amount reduction pattern, a high image quality pattern, and a standard pattern by determining a plurality of pieces of information acquired by a data collection unit (51). A parameter determination unit (53) determines a plurality of parameters on the basis of one or more operation modes selected by the operation mode selection unit (52).

Description

Endoscope system and parameter control device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an endoscope system and a parameter control device capable of selecting an operation mode for specifying operation contents of an endoscope and a video processor.

Background

In recent years, endoscope apparatuses have been widely used in medical fields and industrial fields. In particular, endoscopes used in the medical field are widely used for observation of organs in body cavities, therapeutic measures using treatment instruments, surgical operations performed under endoscopic observation, and the like.

In recent years, due to advances in semiconductor technology and the reduction in power consumption achieved by using LEDs as illumination light sources, battery-driven wireless endoscopes equipped with rechargeable batteries have been put into practical use. The wireless endoscope is configured to incorporate a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the video processor, and compresses and wirelessly transmits image data captured by the image pickup device.

In a wireless endoscope, it is desired to perform power consumption reduction control for reducing power consumption of the endoscope as necessary, to suppress an increase in internal temperature, to prevent a decrease in functions such as battery deterioration, or to suppress the amount of power consumption of a battery, and to extend an operation time. In addition, in a wireless endoscope, it is desirable to be able to execute wireless transmission amount reduction control for reducing the amount of wireless transmission by increasing the compression rate of image data in a situation where the wireless environment deteriorates, so as to prevent interruption of wireless communication. In addition, in an important scene, it is desirable to be able to execute high image quality control for obtaining an endoscopic image of high image quality.

International publication No. 2017/029839 discloses a wireless endoscope that performs a power saving operation for increasing an image compression rate or reducing an illumination light amount when a battery is replaced. Japanese patent No. 4800695 discloses an endoscope apparatus that reduces power consumption by controlling the operation of each part of a main body of the endoscope apparatus based on the temperature inside the main body and the actual examination condition. International publication No. 2016/052175 discloses a portable endoscope system that calculates the compression rate of an endoscopic image based on the determination result of the type of a surgical technique scene. Japanese patent No. 5649657 discloses a system for controlling power consumption of an in-vivo imaging device for changing a frame acquisition rate according to the amount of available energy remaining in a power supply of the device.

In addition, when using a wireless endoscope, it is sometimes necessary to simultaneously execute power consumption reduction control and wireless transmission amount reduction control. In addition, regardless of whether power consumption reduction control or wireless transmission amount reduction control is being executed, there is a demand for a user who requires an endoscopic image of high image quality. In the case where a plurality of controls must be executed simultaneously, if the priority of the control is mistaken, battery depletion or interruption of wireless communication may occur during insertion of the endoscope.

Here, specific control for specifying the operation contents of the endoscope and the video processor to perform power consumption reduction control, wireless transmission amount reduction control, and the like is referred to as an operation mode. Conventionally, the case where a plurality of operation modes are selected has not been considered, and the priority of control in the case where a plurality of operation modes are selected has not been considered.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope system and a parameter control device capable of selecting one or more operation modes while preventing the occurrence of battery depletion or the occurrence of interruption of wireless communication.

Disclosure of Invention

An endoscope system according to an aspect of the present invention includes: an endoscope; a video processor physically separate from the endoscope; and a parameter control device that causes the endoscope and the video processor to execute a predetermined process by controlling a plurality of parameters used in the endoscope and the video processor, wherein the endoscope includes: a grip portion for a user to grip; an image pickup unit that picks up an image of a subject to generate image data; an illumination unit that illuminates the subject; a first image processing unit that performs compression processing for compressing the image data to generate compressed data; a first wireless communication unit that transmits the compressed data by wireless; and a power supply unit having a battery, the power supply unit supplying power of the battery to the image pickup unit, the illumination unit, the first image processing unit, and the first wireless communication unit, the video processor including: a second wireless communication unit that receives the transmitted compressed data; and a second image processing unit configured to decompress the compressed data to generate decompressed image data corresponding to the image data, and perform predetermined image processing on the decompressed image data to generate an endoscopic image, the parameter control device including: a data collection unit that acquires at least two pieces of information among: information on the temperature of the grip portion, information on a wireless environment between the first wireless communication portion and the second wireless communication portion, information on a remaining amount of the battery, information on start of recording the endoscopic image, and information on start of performing an automatic diagnosis support process using the endoscopic image; an operation mode selection unit that selects one or more operation modes from a plurality of operation modes that define operation contents of the endoscope and the video processor by determining the at least two pieces of information; and a parameter determination unit configured to determine the plurality of parameters based on the one or more operation modes selected by the operation mode selection unit, the plurality of operation modes including: a power consumption reduction mode for performing power consumption reduction control for reducing power supplied from the battery; a wireless transmission amount reduction mode for performing wireless transmission amount reduction control for reducing the amount of data transmitted from the first wireless communication unit to the second wireless communication unit; a high image quality mode for performing high image quality control for improving the image quality of the endoscopic image; and a standard mode for performing standard control in which the endoscope and the video processor are controlled without performing the power consumption reduction control, the wireless transmission amount reduction control, and the high image quality control.

A parameter control device according to an aspect of the present invention is used in an endoscope system including an endoscope and a video processor physically separated from the endoscope, the parameter control device causing the endoscope and the video processor to execute predetermined processing by controlling a plurality of parameters used in the endoscope and the video processor, the endoscope including: a grip portion for a user to grip; an image pickup unit that picks up an image of a subject to generate image data; an illumination unit that illuminates the subject; a first image processing unit that performs compression processing for compressing the image data to generate compressed data; a first wireless communication unit that transmits the compressed data by wireless; and a power supply unit having a battery, the power supply unit supplying power of the battery to the image pickup unit, the illumination unit, the first image processing unit, and the first wireless communication unit, the video processor including: a second wireless communication unit that receives the transmitted compressed data; and a second image processing unit configured to generate decompressed image data corresponding to the image data by decompressing the compressed data, and generate the endoscopic image by performing predetermined image processing on the decompressed image data, wherein the parameter control device includes: a data collection unit that acquires at least two pieces of information among: information on the temperature of the grip portion, information on a wireless environment between the first wireless communication portion and the second wireless communication portion, information on a remaining amount of the battery, information on start of recording the endoscopic image, and information on start of performing an automatic diagnosis support process using the endoscopic image; an operation mode selection unit that selects one or more operation modes from a plurality of operation modes that define operation contents of the endoscope and the video processor by determining the at least two pieces of information; and a parameter determination unit configured to determine the plurality of parameters based on the one or more operation modes selected by the operation mode selection unit, the plurality of operation modes including: a power consumption reduction mode for performing power consumption reduction control for reducing power supplied from the battery; a wireless transmission amount reduction mode for performing wireless transmission amount reduction control for reducing the amount of data transmitted from the first wireless communication unit to the second wireless communication unit; a high image quality mode for performing high image quality control for improving the image quality of the endoscopic image; and a standard mode for performing standard control in which the endoscope and the video processor are controlled without performing the power consumption reduction control, the wireless transmission amount reduction control, and the high image quality control.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope and a parameter control device of an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the video processor and the display unit of the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the operation of the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the operation of the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the operation of the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the operation of the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the operation of the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a part of the operation of the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a change in the remaining amount of the battery in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope and the first part of the parameter control device of the endoscope system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a second part of the video processor and the parameter control device of the endoscope system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

[ first embodiment ]

(construction of endoscope System)

First, a schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment. The endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment is a wireless endoscope system including a wireless endoscope 2 which is a battery-driven portable endoscope. The wireless endoscope 2 will be simply referred to as an endoscope 2 hereinafter.

The endoscope system 1 further includes a video processor 3 physically separated from the endoscope 2, and a display unit 4 connected to the video processor 3. The video processor 3 is wirelessly connected to the endoscope 2, and the video processor 3 generates an endoscopic image by performing predetermined image processing described later. The display unit 4 is configured by a monitor device or the like, and displays an endoscopic image or the like.

As shown in fig. 1, in the operating room, the video processor 3, the display unit 4, and various medical devices are mounted on a cart (cart) 6. The medical equipment mounted on the cart 6 includes, for example, devices such as an electric scalpel device, a pneumoperitoneum device, and a video recorder, and a gas tank filled with carbon dioxide.

Further, the configurations of the video processor 3 and the display section 4 are not limited to the example shown in fig. 1. For example, the endoscope system 1 may include a video processor in which a display unit is integrated in place of the video processor 3 and the display unit 4.

The endoscope 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 2A inserted into a body cavity, and an operation portion 2B having a grip portion 2Ba to be gripped by a user. The operation portion 2B is provided at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 2A.

The endoscope 2 further includes an imaging section 21 that images a subject to generate image data, and an illumination section 22 that illuminates the subject. The subject is, for example, an affected part or the like in the subject. The imaging unit 21 includes an unillustrated imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2A.

The illumination unit 22 is configured by an illumination light source including an unillustrated light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, and an unillustrated lens provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 2A. Illumination light generated by the illumination light source is irradiated to the subject via the lens. The return light from the subject obtained by the illumination light is imaged on the imaging surface of the imaging element of the imaging unit 21. The illumination light source may be provided in the operation portion 2B. In this case, illumination light generated by the illumination light source is guided to the distal end of the insertion portion 2A by a light guide not shown.

The endoscope system 1 further includes a parameter control device 5 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 to be described later shows the parameter control device 5. The parameter control device 5 is a device that controls a plurality of parameters used in the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3 to cause the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3 to execute predetermined processing.

(construction of endoscope and parameter control device)

Next, the structures of the endoscope 2 and the parameter control device 5 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope 2 and the parameter control device 5. In the present embodiment, the entire parameter control device 5 is provided in the endoscope 2.

As shown in fig. 2, the endoscope 2 includes a first image processing unit (hereinafter simply referred to as an image processing unit) 23, a first wireless communication unit 24A, an antenna 24B, a power supply unit 25, and a temperature sensor 26 in addition to the grip unit 2Ba, the imaging unit 21, and the illumination unit 22. The imaging section 21 generates image data based on an optical image of the subject by photoelectric conversion, and outputs the image data to the image processing section 23.

The image processing unit 23 includes a compression processing unit 23A. The compression processing unit 23A performs compression processing for compressing the image data generated by the imaging unit 21 to generate compressed data. Compression parameters for specifying the data amount of compressed data are used in the compression processing. The compression parameter has a corresponding relationship with the compression rate of the compressed data. The image processing unit 23 outputs the generated compressed data to the first wireless communication unit 24A, and outputs the current compression parameter to the parameter control device 5. Further, the image processing unit 23 outputs image data for detecting an endoscope scene to the parameter control device 5 as information relating to the endoscope scene.

The first wireless communication unit 24A includes a wireless transmission circuit, not shown, for generating a signal to be transmitted wirelessly and a wireless reception circuit, not shown, for demodulating a signal received wirelessly, and the first wireless communication unit 24A transmits and receives a predetermined signal wirelessly between the first wireless communication unit 24A and the video processor 3 via the antenna 24B. The predetermined signal includes compressed data, a plurality of parameters described later, and start information.

The first wireless communication unit 24A further includes an environment detection circuit (not shown) for detecting a state of an environment of wireless communication (hereinafter, simply referred to as a wireless environment). The environment detection circuit detects, for example, wireless communication devices using the same frequency band and the like existing in the surroundings as the state of the wireless environment. The first wireless communication unit 24A outputs information on the wireless environment detected by the environment detection circuit to the parameter control device 5. The first wireless communication unit 24A may directly output the detection result of the environment detection circuit, or may calculate the amount of transferable data based on the detection result of the environment detection circuit and output the calculated amount of transferable data. The amount of data transmittable in wireless communication varies depending on the wireless environment in addition to being specified by the specifications of wireless communication. The transferable data amount is defined by, for example, the data amount that can be transferred during the time when one frame of image data is transmitted. For example, if the number of wireless communication apparatuses using the same frequency band increases, the amount of transmittable data decreases.

The first wireless communication unit 24A and a second wireless communication unit described later may be configured to be able to perform wireless communication using a plurality of bandwidths, for example, a 60GHz band and a 5GHz band. In this case, for example, a 60GHz band is used for transmission and reception of compressed data. For example, a 5GHz band is used for transmitting and receiving a plurality of parameters.

The power supply unit 25 includes a battery 25A, and the power supply unit 25 supplies electric power of the battery 25A to each unit of the endoscope 2 including the imaging unit 21, the illumination unit 22, the image processing unit 23, and the first wireless communication unit 24A. Battery 25A is configured to be mounted on operation unit 2B (see fig. 1), for example. The power supply unit 25 includes a remaining battery level detection circuit, not shown, for detecting the remaining level of the battery 25A. The power supply unit 25 outputs information of the detected remaining amount of the battery 25A to the parameter control device 5.

The temperature sensor 26 is configured to be able to measure the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba (see fig. 1) and output the measurement result of the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba to the parameter control device 5. The endoscope 2 may include one or more temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of each part in the endoscope 2 other than the grip portion 2Ba and the temperature sensor 26, in addition to the temperature sensor 26.

As shown in fig. 2, the parameter control device 5 includes a data collection unit 51, an operation mode selection unit 52, a parameter determination unit 53, and a parameter transmission unit 54. The operation mode selection unit 52, the parameter determination unit 53, and the parameter transmission unit 54 constitute a control unit 5A which is a main part of the parameter control device 5. The operation mode selection unit 52 and the parameter determination unit 53 may be provided in the endoscope 2. The data collection unit 51 acquires a plurality of pieces of information relating to the endoscope system 1. The configuration of the data collection unit 51 will be described later.

The operation mode selection unit 52 selects one or more operation modes among a plurality of operation modes that define the operation contents of the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3, by determining a plurality of pieces of information acquired by the data collection unit 51. The parameter determination unit 53 determines a plurality of parameters based on one or more operation modes selected by the operation mode selection unit 52. A plurality of operation modes will be described later.

The parameter transmitting unit 54 transmits the plurality of parameters determined by the parameter determining unit 53 to the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3. In the endoscope 2, the illumination unit 22 and the compression processing unit 23A receive the parameters transmitted from the parameter transmitting unit 54. In the video processor 3, a main control unit, which will be described later, receives the parameters transmitted from the parameter transmitting unit 54.

The endoscope 2 further includes a main control unit, not shown. The main control unit controls each unit in the endoscope 2 including the parameter control device 5, and controls the power supply unit 25 to supply power to each unit in the endoscope 2 including the parameter control device 5

(Structure of video processor)

Next, the configuration of the video processor 3 will be described with reference to fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the video processor 3 and the display section 4. As shown in fig. 3, the video processor 3 includes a second wireless communication unit 31A, an antenna 31B, a second image processing unit (hereinafter simply referred to as an image processing unit) 32, a recording processing unit 36, an automatic diagnosis support processing unit 37, a main control unit 38, and a user interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a user IF unit) 39.

The second wireless communication section 31A and the antenna 31B may be built in the main body of the video processor 3 or may be built in the wireless receiver 30 separate from the main body of the video processor 3. A wireless receiver 30 is shown in fig. 1. The wireless receiver 30 is connected to the main body of the video processor 3 via a connector not shown.

The second wireless communication unit 31A includes a wireless transmission circuit, not shown, for generating a signal to be transmitted wirelessly and a wireless reception circuit, not shown, for demodulating a signal received wirelessly, and the second wireless communication unit 31A transmits and receives a predetermined signal between the video processor 3 and the endoscope 2 wirelessly via the antenna 31B. The predetermined signal includes the compressed data transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 24A, the plurality of parameters transmitted from the parameter transmitting unit 54, and start information described later. The second wireless communication unit 31A outputs the compressed data to the image processing unit 32, and outputs a plurality of parameters to the main control unit 38.

The second wireless communication unit 31A may further include an environment detection circuit, not shown, for detecting a state of a wireless environment. The function of the environment detection circuit of the second wireless communication unit 31A is the same as that of the environment detection circuit of the first wireless communication unit 24A. The second wireless communication section 31A outputs information on the wireless environment detected by the environment detection circuit to the parameter control device 5 via wireless communication between the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3. The content of the information on the radio environment outputted from the second radio communication unit 31A is the same as the content of the information on the radio environment outputted from the first radio communication unit 24A described above.

The image processing unit 32 decompresses the compressed data to generate decompressed image data corresponding to the image data, and performs predetermined image processing on the decompressed image data to generate an endoscopic image. In the present embodiment, the image processing unit 32 includes a decompression processing unit 33 that generates decompressed image data, a restoration processing unit 34, and a developing unit 35.

The restoration processing unit 34 performs at least one image restoration process on the decompressed image data to improve the image quality of the endoscopic image. In the present embodiment, in particular, the restoration processing unit 34 is configured to be able to perform, as at least one image restoration process, a brightness correction process for correcting the brightness of the decompressed image data. Specifically, the restoration processing unit 34 includes a filter processing unit 34A and a multiplication processing unit 34B that execute brightness correction processing.

The filter processing unit 34A performs filter processing for correcting the brightness of any one pixel in the decompressed image data using a plurality of pixel values and a first brightness parameter in a predetermined region including the pixel and a plurality of pixels located around the pixel. The filtering process may be a process of multiplying the brightness values of a plurality of pixels located in the periphery by a coefficient (weight) for each channel of RGB and adding the result to the brightness value of any one of the pixels. In this case, the first brightness parameter may be a coefficient (weight) multiplied by the brightness values of the plurality of pixels.

The multiplication unit 34B performs multiplication processing for correcting the brightness of any one pixel using the pixel value of any one pixel and the second brightness parameter. The multiplication process may be a process of multiplying the luminance value of any one of the pixels by a second brightness parameter as a multiplier. In this case, the second brightness parameter may be a constant or a value that changes depending on the brightness value, such as gamma correction. In the latter case, the multiplication process is performed using a table indicating the relationship between the luminance value and the second brightness parameter.

Further, as the effect of the filtering process increases, the corrected decompressed image data becomes bright, but the resolution of the corrected decompressed image data decreases. Further, as the effect of the multiplication process increases, the corrected decompressed image data becomes bright, but the noise of the corrected decompressed image data increases. Therefore, it is necessary to perform filtering processing and multiplication processing to brighten the endoscopic image, while setting the first brightness parameter so that the resolution of the corrected decompressed image data does not excessively decrease, and setting the second brightness parameter so that the noise of the corrected decompressed image data does not excessively increase, so as to obtain an endoscopic image with high image quality and high resolution.

The development unit 35 performs development processing for converting the decompressed image data into a format that can be displayed on the display unit 4 to generate an endoscopic image. The image processing unit 32 outputs the generated endoscopic image to the recording processing unit 36, the automatic diagnosis support processing unit 37, and the display unit 4.

The user IF unit 39 is an interface for receiving a user operation. Specifically, the user IF unit 39 is configured by, for example, a front panel and various switches of the control system, and the user IF unit 39 outputs an operation signal based on a user operation to the main control unit 38. The user operations include, for example, start-up of the endoscope system 1, power-off of the endoscope system 1, start and stop of video recording of an endoscope image, start and stop of an automatic diagnosis support process, designation of an observation mode of the endoscope 2, setting related to image display, and setting of an operation mode of the endoscope 2.

In the present embodiment, in particular, the user IF unit 39 includes a first switch 39A for instructing the start and stop of video recording of an endoscopic image and a second switch 39B for instructing the start and stop of an automatic diagnosis support process. The user operates the first switch 39A to generate an operation signal for instructing start or stop of recording of an endoscopic image. Further, an operation signal instructing the start or stop of the automatic diagnosis assisting process is generated by the user operating the second switch 39B.

The main control unit 38 controls each unit in the video processor 3, and controls a power supply unit, not shown, provided in the video processor 3 to supply power to each unit in the video processor 3. The main control unit 38 receives the parameter transmitted from the parameter transmitting unit 54, and outputs the received parameter to the restoration processing unit 34. The main control unit 38 outputs information based on the operation signal input from the user IF unit 39 to each unit of the video processor 3, and outputs the information to a main control unit, not shown, of the endoscope 2 via wireless communication between the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3. Thus, the main control unit 38 can provide various instructions based on the operation signal to each unit of the endoscope 2, the video processor 3, and the parameter control device 5.

In the present embodiment, in particular, the main control unit 38 generates information for starting and stopping the video recording of the endoscopic image based on the operation signal for instructing the start or stop of the video recording of the endoscopic image, and outputs the information to the video recording processing unit 36 and the parameter control device 5. The main control unit 38 generates information for starting the automatic diagnosis support process and information for stopping the automatic diagnosis support process based on an operation signal for instructing the start or stop of the automatic diagnosis support process, and outputs the information to the automatic diagnosis support processing unit 37 and the parameter control device 5. In particular, information for starting recording of an endoscopic image and information for starting an automatic diagnosis support process are referred to as start information.

The recording processing unit 36 performs recording processing for recording the endoscopic image generated by the developing unit 35. In the present embodiment, the recording processing unit 36 starts the recording processing when information to start recording the endoscopic image is input, and stops the recording processing when information to stop recording the endoscopic image is input. Further, the main control portion 38 controls the developing portion 35 such that if information to start recording the endoscopic image is output to the recording processing portion 36, the developing portion 35 outputs the endoscopic image to the recording processing portion 36. The recording processing unit 36 includes a storage unit, not shown, that stores the endoscopic image recorded by the recording processing. The recording processing unit 36 may be configured to be capable of outputting the endoscopic image stored in the storage unit to the display unit 4 or to a storage device, not shown, configured by a nonvolatile memory.

The endoscopic image recorded by the video recording process is used, for example, for creating a diagnosis report or for performing a precise diagnosis later. The endoscopic image recorded by the video recording process is required to be an image of high image quality so as to improve the precision of the precision diagnosis.

The automatic diagnosis support processing unit 37 performs automatic diagnosis support processing using the endoscopic image. In the present embodiment, the automatic diagnosis support processing unit 37 starts the automatic diagnosis support processing when information for starting the automatic diagnosis support processing is input, and stops the automatic diagnosis support processing when information for stopping the automatic diagnosis support processing is input. Further, the main control portion 38 controls the developing portion 35 such that if information to start the automatic diagnosis support process is output to the image recording processing portion 36, the developing portion 35 outputs the endoscopic image to the automatic diagnosis support processing portion 37. The automatic diagnosis support processing unit 37 may be configured to be capable of outputting the result of the automatic diagnosis support processing to the display unit 4.

For example, processing for automatically detecting the presence or absence of an abnormality by analyzing an endoscopic image generated by the image processing or the like by the developing unit 35 is performed as automatic diagnosis support processing. The analysis of the endoscopic image is performed by image processing using artificial intelligence, for example. The endoscopic image used for the automatic diagnosis support process is required to be an image of high image quality in order to improve the accuracy of automatic diagnosis.

(hardware construction)

Here, the hardware configuration of the endoscope system 1 will be described with reference to fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the endoscope system 1. In the example shown in fig. 4, the endoscope 2 includes a processor 20A, a memory 20B, and an input/output unit 20C. The video processor 3 includes a processor 30A, a memory 30B, and an input/output unit 30C.

The processor 20A is used to execute the functions of the image processing unit 23, the first wireless communication unit 24A, the power supply unit 25, and a main control unit not shown, which are components of the endoscope 2, and the functions of the data collection unit 51, the operation mode selection unit 52, the parameter determination unit 53, and the parameter transmission unit 54, which are components of the parameter control device 5. The processor 30A is used to execute the functions of the second wireless communication section 31A, the image processing section 32, the main control section 38, and the like, which are the components of the video processor 3. The

processors

20A and 30A are each constituted by an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), for example. At least some of the plurality of components of the endoscope 2, the video processor 3, and the parameter control device 5 may be configured as circuit blocks in an FPGA.

The

memories

20B and 30B are each constituted by a rewritable memory element such as a RAM. The input/output unit 20C is used to transmit and receive signals between the endoscope 2 and the outside. The input/output unit 30C is used to transmit and receive signals between the video processor 3 and the outside. In the present embodiment, in particular, the input/

output units

20C and 30C are used to transmit and receive signals between the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3 by wireless.

Each of the

processors

20A and 30A may be configured by a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU). In this case, the functions of the components of the endoscope 2 and the parameter control device 5 may be realized by the CPU reading out a program from the memory 20B or a storage device not shown and executing the program. Similarly, the functions of the components of the video processor 3 may be realized by the CPU reading a program from the memory 30B or a storage device not shown and executing the program.

The hardware configuration of the endoscope system 1 is not limited to the example shown in fig. 4. For example, a plurality of components of the endoscope 2, the video processor 3, and the parameter control device 5 may be configured as separate electronic circuits.

(operation of parameter control device)

Next, the operation of the parameter control device 5 will be described.

(construction and operation of data collecting Unit)

First, the configuration and operation of the data collection unit 51 will be described with reference to fig. 2. The data collection portion 51 acquires at least two pieces of information among: information on the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba, information on the wireless environment between the first wireless communication portion 24A and the second wireless communication portion 31A, information on the remaining amount of the battery 25A, information on the start of recording of the endoscopic image, and information on the start of the automatic diagnosis support process. In the following, a case where the data collection unit 51 acquires all the information described above will be described as an example.

The data collection unit 51 also acquires information for stopping recording of the endoscopic image and information for stopping the automatic diagnosis support process.

In the present embodiment, the data collection unit 51 includes a video information acquisition unit 51A, an automatic diagnosis support process information acquisition unit 51B, a temperature information acquisition unit 51C, a wireless environment information acquisition unit 51D, and a remaining battery amount information acquisition unit 51E. The video information acquisition unit 51A, the automatic diagnosis support processing information acquisition unit 51B, the temperature information acquisition unit 51C, the wireless environment information acquisition unit 51D, and the remaining battery amount information acquisition unit 51E may be provided in the endoscope 2.

The recording information acquiring unit 51A acquires information for starting recording of the endoscopic image and information for stopping recording of the endoscopic image. In the present embodiment, the information for starting the video recording of the endoscopic image and the information for stopping the video recording of the endoscopic image, which are output from the main control unit 38 (see fig. 3) of the video processor 3, are input to the video recording information acquisition unit 51A.

The automatic diagnosis support process information acquiring unit 51B acquires information for starting the automatic diagnosis support process and information for stopping the automatic diagnosis support process. In the present embodiment, the information for starting the automatic diagnosis support process and the information for stopping the automatic diagnosis support process, which are output from the main control unit 38 (see fig. 3) of the video processor 3, are input to the automatic diagnosis support process information acquisition unit 51B.

The temperature information acquisition unit 51C acquires information on the temperature of the grip portion 2 Ba. In the present embodiment, the measurement result of the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba output by the temperature sensor 26 is input to the temperature information acquisition unit 51C.

The radio environment information acquiring unit 51D acquires information on the radio environment. In the present embodiment, the information on the radio environment outputted from the first radio communication unit 24A is inputted to the radio environment information acquisition unit 51D. The wireless environment information acquisition unit 51D acquires, as the information relating to the wireless environment, the detection result of the environment detection circuit of the first wireless communication unit 24A or the amount of transmittable data calculated from the detection result of the environment detection circuit. When the wireless environment information acquisition unit 51D acquires the detection result of the environment detection circuit, the wireless environment information acquisition unit 51D may calculate the transferable data amount based on the detection result of the environment detection circuit.

In addition, as described above, when the second wireless communication unit 31A includes the environment detection circuit, the information on the wireless environment output by the second wireless communication unit 31A may be input to the wireless environment information acquisition unit 51D. In this case, the information on the radio environment acquired by the radio environment information acquiring unit 51D may be information output by the first radio communication unit 24A or information output by the second radio communication unit 31A.

The remaining battery amount information acquisition unit 51E acquires information on the remaining amount of the battery 25A. In the present embodiment, the information on the remaining amount of the battery 25A output from the power supply unit 25 is input to the remaining battery amount information acquisition unit 51E.

The data collection section 51 further includes a compressed information acquisition section 51F and a scene detection section 51G. The compression information acquisition unit 51F acquires information related to compression processing. In the present embodiment, the compression parameters output from the image processing unit 23 are input to the compressed information acquiring unit 51F.

The scene detector 51G acquires information on an endoscope scene. In the present embodiment, the image processing unit 23 is configured to output image data for detecting an endoscopic scene and input the image data to the scene detection unit 51G. The scene detection unit 51G detects an endoscopic scene by analyzing the image data. Examples of the endoscopic scenes include a survey scene performed when a blood vessel is observed finely, a screening (screening) scene performed when an abnormal portion is found while moving the insertion portion 2A, and an extracorporeal scene in which the insertion portion 2A is located outside the body.

(operation of operation mode selection section)

Next, the operation of the control unit 5A of the parameter control device 5, that is, the operation of the operation mode selection unit 52, the parameter determination unit 53, and the parameter transmission unit 54 will be described with reference to fig. 2 and 3. First, the operation of the operation mode selection unit 52 will be described. The operation mode selection unit 52 selects one or more operation modes by determining at least two pieces of information acquired by the data collection unit 51. In the present embodiment, in particular, the operation mode selection unit 52 determines all the information acquired by the data collection unit 51.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of operation modes defining the operation contents of the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3 include a power consumption reduction mode, a wireless transmission amount reduction mode, a high image quality mode, and a standard mode.

The power consumption reduction mode is an operation mode in which power consumption reduction control is performed to control the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3 so as to reduce the power supplied from the battery 25A. The operation mode selection unit 52 determines whether or not the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature threshold value, and also determines whether or not the remaining amount of the battery 25A is smaller than a predetermined battery threshold value. The operation mode selection unit 52 selects the power consumption reduction mode when at least one of the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba is equal to or higher than the predetermined first temperature threshold and the remaining amount of the battery 25A is smaller than the predetermined first battery threshold is satisfied.

The wireless transmission amount reduction mode is an operation mode for performing wireless transmission amount reduction control for controlling the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3 so as to reduce the amount of data transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 24A to the second wireless communication unit 31A. The operation mode selection unit 52 determines whether or not the wireless environment is degraded by determining whether or not the transmittable data amount is smaller than a predetermined threshold. Further, when the wireless environment information acquisition unit 51D acquires or calculates the transferable data amount, the operation mode selection unit 52 uses the transferable data amount acquired or calculated by the wireless environment information acquisition unit 51D. When the wireless environment information acquisition unit 51D acquires the detection result of the environment detection circuit and does not calculate the transferable data amount, the operation mode selection unit 52 calculates the transferable data amount using the detection result of the environment detection circuit acquired by the wireless environment information acquisition unit 51D. When the transmittable data amount is smaller than the predetermined threshold, the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the radio transmission amount reduction mode.

The high image quality mode is an operation mode for performing high image quality control for controlling the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3 so as to improve the image quality of the endoscopic image. The operation mode selection unit 52 determines whether the video recording information acquisition unit 51A acquires information for starting video recording of an endoscopic image and whether the automatic diagnosis support processing information acquisition unit 51B acquires information for starting automatic diagnosis support processing. When at least one of the two pieces of information is acquired, the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the high image quality mode.

The standard mode is an operation mode in which standard control is performed to control the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3 without performing power consumption reduction control, wireless transmission amount reduction control, and high image quality control. The operation mode selection unit 52 selects the standard mode when all the selection conditions of the power consumption reduction mode, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, and the high image quality mode are not satisfied. The operation mode selection unit 52 may determine the content of the standard control by determining the information on the endoscope scene acquired by the scene detection unit 51G.

The case where the selection condition of the high image quality mode is not satisfied includes a case where the data collection unit 51 does not acquire information to start recording the endoscopic image and information to start the automatic diagnosis support process, a case where the recording information acquisition unit 51A acquires information to stop recording the endoscopic image during the execution period of the recording process, and a case where the automatic diagnosis support process information acquisition unit 51B acquires information to stop the automatic diagnosis support process during the execution period of the automatic diagnosis support process. The information on whether or not the video recording process is being executed and the information on whether or not the automatic diagnosis support process is being executed may be input to the operation mode selection unit 52. These pieces of information may be output by the main control unit 38 of the video processor 3, for example. Alternatively, the operation mode selection unit 52 may determine whether or not the video recording process is being executed based on the information acquired by the data collection unit 51 to start or stop the video recording of the endoscopic image. Similarly, the operation mode selection unit 52 may determine whether or not the automatic diagnosis support process is being executed based on the information acquired by the data collection unit 51 to start or stop the automatic diagnosis support process.

(operation of parameter determining part)

Next, the operation of the parameter determination unit 53 will be described. First, the contents of the power consumption reduction control, the wireless transmission amount reduction control, and the high image quality control will be described in comparison with the standard control. In the following description, a standard control in the case where the endoscope scene is the review scene is used as a reference. The power consumption reduction control and the high image quality control include an illumination light amount changing process of changing the illumination light amount of the illumination section 22, a compression amount changing process of changing the data amount of the compressed data, and a brightness correction process, respectively. The wireless transmission amount reduction control includes a compression amount change process and a brightness correction process.

The illumination light amount changing process is a process using an illumination parameter for specifying the illumination light amount of the illumination unit 22. The lighting parameters in the power consumption reduction control are specified to reduce the amount of lighting light as compared with the standard control. The illumination parameter in the high image quality control is specified to increase the illumination light amount as compared with the standard control.

The compression amount change process is a process using a compression parameter for specifying the data amount of the compressed data. The compression parameter in the power consumption reduction control and the compression parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control are specified so as to reduce the data amount of compressed data compared with the standard control. The compression parameters in the high image quality control are specified so as to increase the data amount of compressed data as compared with the standard control.

The brightness correction process is a process using a brightness parameter for specifying a relationship between the brightness before correction and the brightness after correction of the decompressed image data. The brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control is specified to enhance the effect of brightness correction processing for brightening the endoscope image compared to the standard control. The brightness parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control is defined so as to correct the brightness of the endoscopic image while suppressing a decrease in resolution of the endoscopic image compared to the standard control. The brightness parameter in the high image quality control is specified to reduce the effect of the brightness correction processing compared to the standard control.

In the present embodiment, the brightness parameter is a first brightness parameter used in the filtering process and a second brightness parameter used in the multiplication process. The first brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control is specified so as to enhance the effect of the filtering process as compared with the standard control. The second brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control is defined to enhance the effect of the multiplication process compared to the standard control.

The first brightness parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control is specified so as to reduce the effect of the filtering process compared to the standard control. The second brightness parameter in the radio transmission amount reduction control is defined so as to enhance the effect of the multiplication process as compared with the standard control.

The first brightness parameter in the high image quality control is specified to reduce the effect of the filtering process compared to the standard control. The second brightness parameter in the high image quality control is specified to reduce the effect of the multiplication process compared to the standard control.

In the following, the lighting parameter, the compression parameter, and the first and second brightness parameters in the power consumption reduction control are also referred to as Bp, Cp, Fp, and Mp, respectively. The compression parameters and the first and second brightness parameters in the radio transmission amount reduction control are also described as Cw, Fw, and Mw, respectively. The illumination parameter, compression parameter, and first and second brightness parameters in the high image quality control are also described as Bh, Ch, Fh, and Mh, respectively. The illumination parameter, the compression parameter, and the first and second brightness parameters in the standard control are also respectively described as Bs, Cs, Fs, and Ms. These parameters are predefined. These parameters may be fixed values or values that vary depending on the content of the image data. These parameters may be stored in a storage device, not shown, provided in the endoscope 2 or the parameter control device 5.

Next, the operation of the parameter determination unit 53 will be specifically described. First, a case where the operation mode selection unit 52 selects only one of the power consumption reduction mode, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, the high image quality mode, and the standard mode will be described. When the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the power consumption reduction mode, the parameter determination unit 53 determines Bp, Cp, Fp, Mp as a plurality of parameters.

When the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the radio transmission amount reduction mode, the parameter determination unit 53 determines Cw, Fw, and Mw as a plurality of parameters. When the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the high image quality mode, the parameter determination unit 53 determines Bh, Ch, Fh, and Mh as a plurality of parameters.

When the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the standard mode, the parameter determination unit 53 determines Bs, Cs, Fs, and Ms as a plurality of parameters.

Further, the wireless transmission amount reduction control does not include the illumination light amount change process. Therefore, when the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, the illumination parameter is not changed. The parameter determination unit 53 may determine the illumination parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control so that the illumination parameter is not substantially changed. The lighting parameters in the wireless transmission amount reduction control may be the same as Bs.

Next, a case where the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the power consumption reduction mode and the high image quality mode will be described. In this case, the operation of the parameter determination unit 53 differs depending on the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba and the remaining amount of the battery 25A. That is, when the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba is equal to or higher than the first temperature threshold and lower than the second temperature threshold higher than the first temperature threshold, the parameter determination unit 53 determines a plurality of parameters Bh, Ch, Fh, and Mh, which are a plurality of parameters in the high image quality control, as a plurality of parameters. When the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba is equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold, the parameter determination unit 53 determines a plurality of parameters Bp, Cp, Fp, Mp, which are a plurality of parameters in the power consumption reduction control, as the plurality of parameters.

Similarly, when the remaining amount of the battery 25A is less than the first battery threshold value and equal to or greater than the second battery threshold value which is less than the first battery threshold value, the parameter determination unit 53 determines a plurality of parameters Bh, Ch, Fh, and Mh, which are a plurality of parameters in the high image quality control, as a plurality of parameters. When the remaining amount of the battery 25A is smaller than the second battery threshold value, the parameter determination unit 53 determines a plurality of parameters Bp, Cp, Fp, Mp, which are a plurality of parameters in the power consumption reduction control, as the plurality of parameters.

Next, a case where the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the radio transmission amount reduction mode and the high image quality mode will be described. In this case, the parameter determination unit 53 determines, as a plurality of parameters, the illumination parameter and the first and second brightness parameters Bh, Fh, and Mh in the high image quality control, and the compression parameter Cw in the wireless transmission amount reduction control.

Next, a case where the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the power consumption reduction mode, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, and the high image quality mode will be described. In this case, the operation of the parameter determination unit 53 differs depending on the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba and the remaining amount of the battery 25A. That is, when the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba is equal to or higher than the first temperature threshold and lower than the second temperature threshold, the parameter determination unit 53 determines the illumination parameter and the first and second brightness parameters Bh, Fh, and Mh in the high image quality control and the compression parameter Cw in the wireless transmission amount reduction control as a plurality of parameters. When the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba is equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold, the parameter determination unit 53 determines, as a plurality of parameters, the illumination parameter and the first and second brightness parameters Bp, Fp, Mp in the power consumption reduction control, and the compression parameter Cw in the wireless transmission amount reduction control.

Similarly, when the remaining amount of the battery 25A is less than the first battery threshold and equal to or greater than the second battery threshold, the parameter determination unit 53 determines, as a plurality of parameters, the illumination parameter and the first and second brightness parameters Bh, Fh, and Mh in the high image quality control, and the compression parameter Cw in the wireless transmission amount reduction control. When the remaining amount of the battery 25A is smaller than the second battery threshold, the parameter determination unit 53 determines, as a plurality of parameters, the illumination parameter and the first and second brightness parameters Bp, Fp, Mp in the power consumption reduction control, and the compression parameter Cw in the wireless transmission amount reduction control.

Further, the compression parameter can be changed according to the content of the image data. In the present embodiment, the compression parameters acquired by the compression information acquiring unit 51F are input to the parameter determining unit 53. The parameter determination unit 53 may determine the compression parameter to be used in the next compression process based on the selection result of the operation mode selected by the operation mode selection unit 52 and the compression parameter to be used in the previous compression process.

(operation of parameter transmitting section)

Next, the operation of the parameter transmitting unit 54 will be described. The parameter transmitting unit 54 transmits the illumination parameter to the illumination unit 22, transmits the compression parameter to the compression processing unit 23A, and transmits the first and second brightness parameters to the main control unit 38 of the video processor 3. The illumination unit 22 changes the illumination light amount of the illumination unit 22 based on the received illumination parameter. The compression processing unit 23A performs compression processing using the received compression parameters.

The main control unit 38 outputs the received first brightness parameter to the filter processing unit 34A of the restoration processing unit 34, and outputs the received second brightness parameter to the multiplication processing unit 34B of the restoration processing unit 34. The filter processing unit 34A performs filter processing using the first brightness parameter. The multiplication unit 34B performs multiplication processing using the second brightness parameter.

(series of actions relating to parameter control means)

Next, a specific example of a series of operations related to the parameter control device 5 in the operations of the endoscope system 1 will be described with reference to fig. 2, 3, and 5 to 10. Fig. 5 to 10 are flowcharts illustrating a part of the operation of the endoscope system 1. In fig. 7 and 9, a marker Tt2 indicates the second temperature threshold value, and a marker Tb2 indicates the second battery threshold value.

As shown in fig. 5, in a series of operations, first, for example, by a user operating a switch or the like for starting the endoscope system 1, an operation signal for starting the endoscope system 1 is input from the user IF section 39 to the main control section 38. The main control unit 38 starts the endoscope system 1 based on the input operation signal (step S11). Next, the main control unit of the endoscope 2 controls the first wireless communication unit 24A, and the main control unit 38 of the video processor 3 controls the second wireless communication unit 31A, thereby establishing a connection for wireless communication between the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3 (step S12).

Next, the main control section of the endoscope 2 controls the illumination section 22 to turn on the power of the illumination light source (step S13), and the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3 start to execute the standard control. Next, the user starts an insertion operation of inserting the insertion portion 2A of the endoscope 2 into the body of the patient (step S14).

Next, the data collection unit 51 acquires a plurality of pieces of information on the endoscope system 1 (step S15). Next, the operation mode selection unit 52 selects one or more operation modes (step S16). In the examples shown in fig. 5 to 10, the series of operations are different depending on the number of operation modes other than the standard mode selected in step S16. Specifically, the process proceeds to step S18 when the number of operation modes other than the standard mode is 0, proceeds to step S21 in fig. 6 when the number of operation modes other than the standard mode is 1, and proceeds to step S31 in fig. 7 when the number of operation modes other than the standard mode is 2 or more (step S17).

When the number of operation modes other than the standard mode is 0, that is, when the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the standard mode, each of the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3 uses Bs, Cs, Fs, and Ms, which are a plurality of parameters in the standard control (step S18).

As described above, the parameter determination unit 53 determines a plurality of parameters, and the parameter transmission unit 54 transmits the plurality of parameters to the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3, thereby realizing step S18 and the same steps as step S18. In the case where the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the standard mode while the standard control is being executed, the above-described operations of the parameter determination unit 53 and the parameter transmission unit 54 may be omitted.

After step S18 is executed, for example, the main control unit 38 determines whether or not to turn off the power supply of the endoscope system 1 (step S19). Specifically, the main control unit 38 determines whether or not an operation signal for turning off the power supply of the endoscope system 1 is input. The operation signal is input from the user IF unit 39 to the main control unit 38 by, for example, a user operating a switch or the like for turning off the power supply of the endoscope system 1. If the operation signal is not input to the main control section 38, the main control section 38 determines not to turn off the power supply of the endoscope system 1 (no), and the process returns to step S15. When the operation signal is input to the main control unit 38, the main control unit 38 determines that the power supply of the endoscope system 1 is turned off (yes), and terminates the series of operations.

A series of steps shown in fig. 6 represents the operation of the endoscope system 1 when the number of operation modes other than the standard mode selected by the operation mode selection unit 52 in step S16 is 1. When the power consumption reduction mode is selected in step S16 (yes in step S21), the endoscope 2 and each unit of the video processor 3 use Bp, Cp, Fp, Mp, which are a plurality of parameters in the power consumption reduction control (step S22).

When the power consumption reduction mode is not selected in step S16 (no in step S21) and the wireless transmission amount reduction mode is selected (yes in step S23), the endoscope 2 and each unit of the video processor 3 use the plurality of parameters Bw, Cw, Fw, Mw in the wireless transmission amount reduction control (step S24).

When the power consumption reduction mode is not selected in step S16 (no in step S21) and the wireless transmission amount reduction mode is not selected (no in step S23), that is, when the high image quality mode is selected in step S16, the endoscope 2 and each unit of the video processor 3 use the parameters Bh, Ch, Fh, and Mh that are parameters used in the high image quality control (step S25).

After executing steps S22, S24, or S25, for example, the main control section 38 determines whether or not to turn off the power supply of the endoscope system 1 (step S26). The contents of step S26 are the same as those of step S19 of fig. 5. If the main control unit 38 determines that the power of the endoscope system 1 is not to be turned off (no), the process returns to step S15 in fig. 5. When the main control unit 38 determines that the power supply of the endoscope system 1 is turned off (yes), the series of operations is ended.

A series of steps shown in fig. 7 to 10 show the operation of the endoscope system 1 when the number of operation modes other than the standard mode selected by the operation mode selection unit 52 in step S16 is 2 or more. When the power consumption reduction mode is selected in step S16 (yes in step S31), the wireless transmission amount reduction mode is selected (yes in step S32), and the high image quality mode is selected (yes in step S33), the compression processing unit 23A uses Cw which is a compression parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control (step S22).

When at least one of the requirement that the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba acquired in step S15 of fig. 5 be equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold Tt2 and the requirement that the remaining amount of the battery 25A acquired in step S15 of fig. 5 be smaller than the second battery threshold Tb2 is satisfied (yes in step S35), the illumination portion 22 uses Bp, which is an illumination parameter in the power consumption reduction control, the filter processing portion 34A uses Fp, which is a first brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control, and the multiplication processing portion 34B uses Mp, which is a second brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control (step S36).

On the other hand, if the requirement that the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba is equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold Tt2 and the requirement that the remaining amount of the battery 25A is smaller than the second battery threshold Tb2 are not satisfied (no in step S35), the illumination unit 22 uses Bh which is the illumination parameter in the high-image-quality control, the filter processing unit 34A uses Fh which is the first brightness parameter in the high-image-quality control, and the multiplication processing unit 34B uses Mh which is the second brightness parameter in the high-image-quality control (step S37).

After executing step S36 or S37, for example, the main control unit 38 determines whether or not to turn off the power supply of the endoscope system 1 (step S38). The contents of step S38 are the same as those of step S19 of fig. 5. If the main control unit 38 determines that the power of the endoscope system 1 is not to be turned off (no), the process returns to step S15 in fig. 5. When the main control unit 38 determines that the power supply of the endoscope system 1 is turned off (yes), the series of operations is ended.

A series of steps shown in fig. 8 represents the operation of the endoscope system 1 in the case where the power consumption reduction mode is not selected in step S16 (no in step S31), that is, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode and the high image quality mode are selected in step S16. In this case, the compression processing unit 23A uses Cw which is a compression parameter in the radio transmission amount reduction control, the illumination unit 22 uses Bh which is an illumination parameter in the high image quality control, the filter processing unit 34A uses Fh which is a first brightness parameter in the high image quality control, and the multiplication processing unit 34B uses Mh which is a second brightness parameter in the high image quality control (step S41).

Next, for example, the main control unit 38 determines whether or not to turn off the power supply of the endoscope system 1 (step S42). The contents of step S42 are the same as those of step S19 of fig. 5. If the main control unit 38 determines that the power of the endoscope system 1 is not to be turned off (no), the process returns to step S15 in fig. 5. When the main control unit 38 determines that the power supply of the endoscope system 1 is turned off (yes), the series of operations is ended.

The series of steps shown in fig. 9 represents the operation of the endoscope system 1 when the power consumption reduction mode is selected in step S16 (yes in step S31), the wireless transmission amount reduction mode is not selected (no in step S32), that is, the power consumption reduction mode and the high image quality mode are selected in step S16. In this case, when at least one of the requirement that the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba acquired in step S15 of fig. 5 be equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold Tt2 and the requirement that the remaining amount of the battery 25A acquired in step S15 of fig. 5 be smaller than the second battery threshold Tb2 is satisfied ("yes" in step S51), the endoscope 2 and each portion of the video processor 3 use the parameters Bp, Cp, Fp, Mp that are parameters in the power consumption reduction control (step S52).

On the other hand, if the requirement that the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba is equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold Tt2 and the requirement that the remaining amount of the battery 25A is smaller than the second battery threshold Tb2 are not satisfied (no in step S51), the endoscope 2 and each portion of the video processor 3 use the parameters Bh, Ch, Fh, and Mh that are parameters used in the high-image-quality control (step S53).

After executing step S52 or S53, for example, the main control unit 38 determines whether or not to turn off the power supply of the endoscope system 1 (step S54). The contents of step S54 are the same as those of step S19 of fig. 5. If the main control unit 38 determines that the power of the endoscope system 1 is not to be turned off (no), the process returns to step S15 in fig. 5. When the main control unit 38 determines that the power supply of the endoscope system 1 is turned off (yes), the series of operations is ended.

The series of steps shown in fig. 10 represents the operation of the endoscope system 1 in the case where the power consumption reduction mode is selected in step S16 (yes in step S31), the wireless transmission amount reduction mode is selected (yes in step S32), and the high image quality mode is not selected (no in step S33). In this case, the compression processing unit 23A uses Cw which is a compression parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control, the illumination unit 22 uses Bp which is an illumination parameter in the power consumption reduction control, the filter processing unit 34A uses Fp which is a first brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control, and the multiplication processing unit 34B uses Mp which is a second brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control (step S61).

Next, for example, the main control unit 38 determines whether or not to turn off the power supply of the endoscope system 1 (step S62). The contents of step S62 are the same as those of step S19 of fig. 5. If the main control unit 38 determines that the power of the endoscope system 1 is not to be turned off (no), the process returns to step S15 in fig. 5. When the main control unit 38 determines that the power supply of the endoscope system 1 is turned off (yes), the series of operations is ended.

(example of setting parameters)

Next, examples of setting the parameters will be described. Here, the illumination parameter, the compression parameter, the first brightness parameter, and the second brightness parameter are expressed by values of 1 to 5. The illumination parameter is set such that the illumination light amount is the largest at a value of 1 and the illumination light amount is the smallest at a value of 5. In other words, the effect of the power consumption reduction control is minimum when the value of the lighting parameter is 1, and the effect of the power consumption reduction control is maximum when the value of the lighting parameter is 5.

The compression parameter is set to have the lowest compression ratio at a value of 1 and the highest compression ratio at a value of 5. In other words, the effect of the power consumption reduction control or the wireless transmission amount reduction control is smallest when the value of the compression parameter is 1, and the effect of the power consumption reduction control or the wireless transmission amount reduction control is largest when the value of the compression parameter is 5.

The first brightness parameter is set to have the weakest effect of the filtering process when the value is 1, and the strongest effect of the filtering process when the value is 5. The second brightness parameter is set to have the weakest effect of the multiplication process when the value is 1 and the strongest effect of the multiplication process when the value is 5. The brightness of the pixel to be corrected is darkest when the effect of the filter process or the multiplication process is weakest, and brightest when the effect of the filter process or the multiplication process is strongest.

In the following, the value of the parameter in the case where the endoscope scene is the review scene in the standard control is set as a default value. In addition, 3 is used as a default value. First, an example of setting each parameter in the standard control will be described with reference to table 1. Table 1 shows examples of setting parameters when the endoscope scene is the review scene, the screening scene, and the in-vitro scene in the standard control.

[ Table 1]

Parameter(s)	Scrutiny scenario	Screening scenarios	In vitro scene
				Parameters of illumination	3	4	5
Compression parameters	3	4	5
				First brightness parameter	3	4	5
Second brightness parameter	3	4	5

When the endoscopic scene is the review scene in the standard control, the illumination parameter, the compression parameter, the first brightness parameter, and the second brightness parameter are set to a level at which the image quality and the resolution of the endoscopic image are predetermined. Hereinafter, a case where the endoscope scene is the review scene in the standard control is referred to as a reference state. On the other hand, in an extracorporeal scene, the image quality and resolution of the endoscopic image may also be low. Therefore, in the in vitro scene, the illumination parameter and the compression parameter are set so as to minimize the power consumption of the battery 25A, and the first and second brightness parameters are set in accordance with the settings of the illumination parameter and the compression parameter. In the screening scene, the illumination parameter, the compression parameter, the first brightness parameter, and the second brightness parameter are set in such a manner that the image quality and the resolution of the endoscopic image are increased as compared with the in-vitro scene, but the power consumption of the battery 25A is reduced as compared with the scrutiny scene.

Next, an example of setting each parameter in the power consumption reduction control, the wireless transmission amount reduction control, and the high image quality control will be described with reference to table 2. Table 2 shows examples of setting parameters in the power consumption reduction control, the wireless transmission amount reduction control, and the high image quality control.

[ Table 2]

Parameter(s)	Power consumption reduction control	Wireless transmission amount reduction control	High image quality control
				Parameters of illumination	3.5	3	2
Compression parameters	3.25	3.5	2
				First brightness parameter	3.5	2.5	2
Second brightness parameter	3.5	3.5	2

Bp, which is an illumination parameter in the power consumption reduction control, is set to a value (3.5 in table 2) that reduces the amount of illumination light of the illumination unit 22 from the reference state. Cp, which is a compression parameter in the power consumption reduction control, is set to a value (3.25 in table 2) that reduces the data amount of compressed data to a small extent compared to the reference state. Fp, which is the first brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control, is set to a value (3.5 in table 2) that enhances the effect of the filtering process compared to the reference state. Mp, which is the second brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control, is set to a value (3.5 in table 2) that enhances the effect of the multiplication process compared to the reference state.

In addition, the illumination parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control is set to the same value as the reference state (3 in table 2). The compression parameter Cw in the radio traffic reduction control is set to a value (3.5 in table 2) that significantly reduces the amount of compressed data compared to the reference state. Fw, which is the first brightness parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control, is set to a value (2.5 in table 2) that reduces the effect of the filtering process compared to the reference state. Mw, which is the second brightness parameter in the radio transmission amount reduction control, is set to a value (3.5 in table 2) that enhances the effect of the multiplication process compared to the reference state.

In general, when the effects of the power consumption reduction control are compared with each other with the same effect, the illumination light amount changing process can suppress a decrease in resolution of the endoscopic image as compared with the compression amount changing process. As shown in table 2, by setting the compression parameter in the power consumption reduction control to a value that reduces the data amount of the compressed data to a small extent, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the resolution of the endoscopic image in the power consumption reduction control.

In general, as the compression rate becomes higher, that is, the data amount of compressed data decreases, the resolution of the endoscopic image decreases. In addition, as the effect of the filtering process increases, the resolution of the endoscopic image decreases. In contrast, as shown in table 2, by setting the first brightness parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction processing to a value that reduces the effect of the filtering processing, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the resolution of the endoscopic image in the wireless transmission amount reduction processing. Further, by setting the second brightness parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction processing to a value that enhances the effect of the multiplication processing, it is possible to suppress the effect of the brightness correction processing from being reduced in the wireless transmission amount reduction processing.

Further, Bh, which is an illumination parameter in the high image quality control, is set to a value (2 in table 2) that increases the amount of illumination light of the illumination section 22 compared to the reference state. Ch, which is a compression parameter in the high image quality control, is set to a value (2 in table 2) that increases the data amount of the compressed data compared to the reference state. Fh, which is the first brightness parameter in the high image quality control, is set to a value (2 in table 2) that reduces the effect of the filtering process compared to the reference state. Mh, which is the second brightness parameter in the high image quality control, is set to a value (2 in table 2) that reduces the effect of the multiplication process compared to the reference state.

(action and Effect)

Next, the operation and effects of the endoscope system 1 and the parameter control device 5 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the operation mode selection unit 52 of the parameter control device 5 selects one or more operation modes from the power consumption reduction mode, the radio transmission amount reduction mode, the high image quality mode, and the standard mode by determining a plurality of pieces of information collected by the data collection unit 51. The parameter determining unit 53 of the parameter control device 5 determines a plurality of parameters based on one or more operation modes selected by the operation mode selecting unit 52. As described above, a plurality of parameters are selected from the predetermined parameters according to the selection content of the operation mode. In the present embodiment, the parameter determination unit 53 determines a plurality of parameters in consideration of the priority of control. The priority of control is defined from the viewpoint of preventing occurrence of battery depletion or interruption of wireless communication. Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to select one or more operation modes while preventing the occurrence of battery depletion or interruption of wireless communication.

The priority of control is explained below. First, a case where the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the power consumption reduction mode and the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, and a case where the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the power consumption reduction mode, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, and the high image quality mode will be described with reference to fig. 11. Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a change in the remaining amount of the battery 25A. In fig. 11, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the remaining amount of the battery 25A. In fig. 11, a symbol Tb1 indicates the first battery threshold value, and a symbol Tb2 indicates the second battery threshold value.

In fig. 11, reference symbols t1, t2, and t3 denote time points. Time t1 is when the remaining amount of battery 25A is equal to first battery threshold Tb 1. The time t2 is when the recording information acquisition unit 51A acquires information for starting recording of an endoscopic image. Time t3 is when the remaining amount of battery 25A is equal to second battery threshold Tb 2. The period before time t1 is a state in which the remaining amount of battery 25A is sufficient. The remaining amount of the battery 25A is in a state of tension later than the time t 3.

Before time t1, the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the radio transmission amount reduction mode. When time t1 has elapsed and the remaining amount of battery 25A is smaller than first battery threshold Tb1, operation mode selection unit 52 selects the power consumption reduction mode and the wireless transmission amount reduction mode. In this case, the parameter determination unit 53 determines, as a plurality of parameters, the illumination parameter, the first and second brightness parameters, and the compression parameter in the radio transmission amount reduction control in the high image quality control as described above. Thus, in the period P1 from the time t1 to the time t2, the illumination light amount changing process, the filter process and the multiplication process in the power consumption reduction control, and the compression amount changing process in the wireless transmission amount reduction control are substantially executed. In other words, in the period P1, the power consumption reduction control is prioritized for the illumination light amount change processing, the filter processing, and the multiplication processing, and the wireless transmission amount reduction control is prioritized for the compression amount change processing.

At time t2, the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the power consumption reduction mode, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, and the high image quality mode. At time t2, the remaining amount of battery 25A is smaller than first battery threshold Tb1 and equal to or greater than second battery threshold Tb 2. In this case, the parameter determination unit 53 determines, as a plurality of parameters, the illumination parameter, the first and second brightness parameters, and the compression parameter in the radio transmission amount reduction control in the high image quality control as described above. Thus, in the period P2 from the time t2 to the time t3, the illumination light amount changing process, the filter process, and the multiplication process in the high image quality control, and the compression amount changing process in the wireless transmission amount reduction control are substantially executed. In other words, in the period P2, the image quality improvement control is prioritized for the illumination light amount change processing, the filter processing, and the multiplication processing, and the radio transmission amount reduction control is prioritized for the compression amount change processing.

When the remaining amount of the battery 25A is smaller than the second battery threshold Tb2 at time t3 while the conditions for the operation mode selection unit 52 to select the power consumption reduction mode, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, and the high image quality mode are satisfied, the parameter determination unit 53 determines the illumination parameter, the first and second brightness parameters, and the compression parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control as described above, as a plurality of parameters. Thus, in the period P3 after the time t3, the illumination light amount changing process, the filter process, and the multiplication process in the power consumption reduction control, and the compression amount changing process in the wireless transmission amount reduction control are substantially executed. In other words, in the period P3, the power consumption reduction control is prioritized for the illumination light amount change processing, the filter processing, and the multiplication processing, and the wireless transmission amount reduction control is prioritized for the compression amount change processing.

In the period P1, priority is given to both the power consumption reduction control and the wireless transmission amount reduction control. This can prevent battery depletion and interruption of wireless communication. In the period P2, the high image quality control is prioritized over the power consumption reduction control, and the wireless transmission amount reduction control is prioritized. Thus, even when the power consumption reduction control is executed, the endoscopic image can be made high in image quality without straining the remaining amount of the battery 25A, and interruption of wireless communication can be prevented. In the period P3, the power consumption reduction control is prioritized over the high image quality control, and the wireless transmission amount reduction control is prioritized. This can prevent battery depletion and interruption of wireless communication in a situation where the remaining amount of the battery 25A is insufficient.

The priority in the case where the remaining amount of the battery 25A changes is described so far. The above description also applies to the case where the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba changes. In this case, instead of preventing the battery from running out, the temperature of the holding portion 2Ba can be prevented from becoming high.

Next, the priority when the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the power consumption reduction mode and the high image quality mode will be described. The priority in this case is the same as the priority described with reference to fig. 11 except for the priority for the compression amount change process. In addition, in a situation where the high image quality control is prioritized for the processing other than the compression amount change processing as compared with the power consumption reduction control, the high image quality control is prioritized for the compression amount change processing, and in a situation where the power consumption reduction control is prioritized for the processing other than the compression amount change processing as compared with the high image quality control, the power consumption reduction control is prioritized for the compression amount change processing.

Next, the priority when the operation mode selection unit 52 selects the radio transmission amount reduction mode and the high image quality mode will be described. In this case, the high image quality control is prioritized for the illumination light amount change processing, the filter processing, and the multiplication processing, and the wireless transmission amount reduction control is prioritized for the compression amount change processing. This prevents interruption of wireless communication, and enables endoscopic images to be of high image quality.

[ second embodiment ]

Next, an endoscope system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 12 and 13. Fig. 12 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope and the first part of the parameter control device of the endoscope system according to the present embodiment. Fig. 13 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a second part of the video processor and the parameter control device of the endoscope system according to the present embodiment. As shown in fig. 12 and 13, the endoscope system according to the present embodiment includes the parameter control device according to the present embodiment instead of the parameter control device 5 according to the first embodiment. The parameter control device according to the present embodiment includes a first section 105 provided in the endoscope 2 and a second section 205 provided in the video processor 3.

As shown in fig. 12, the first part 105 of the parameter control device includes a data collection part 151 and a control part 105A. The data collection unit 151 includes a temperature information acquisition unit 151C, a remaining battery amount information acquisition unit 151E, and a compression information acquisition unit 151F. The temperature information acquisition unit 151C and the remaining battery amount information acquisition unit 151E may be said to be provided in the endoscope 2. The functions of the temperature information acquisition unit 151C, the remaining battery amount information acquisition unit 151E, and the compressed information acquisition unit 151F are the same as those of the temperature information acquisition unit 51C, the remaining battery amount information acquisition unit 51E, and the compressed information acquisition unit 51F in the first embodiment, respectively.

The data collection unit 151 outputs information on the temperature of the grip portion 2Ba acquired by the temperature information acquisition unit 151C, information on the remaining amount of the battery 25A acquired by the remaining battery amount information acquisition unit 151E, and information on the compression processing acquired by the compression information acquisition unit 151F to the control unit 105A. The control section 105A outputs a plurality of pieces of information acquired by the data collection section 151 to the second part 205 of the parameter control device via wireless communication between the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3.

As shown in fig. 13, the second part 205 of the parameter control apparatus includes a data collection unit 251, an operation mode selection unit 252, a parameter determination unit 253, and a parameter transmission unit 254. The operation mode selection unit 252, the parameter determination unit 253, and the parameter transmission unit 254 constitute a control unit 205A which is a main part of the parameter control device. The operation mode selection unit 252 and the parameter determination unit 253 may be provided in the video processor 3.

The data collection unit 251 includes a video information acquisition unit 251A, an automatic diagnosis support process information acquisition unit 251B, a wireless environment information acquisition unit 251D, and a scene detection unit 251G. The video information acquisition unit 251A, the automatic diagnosis support process information acquisition unit 251B, and the wireless environment information acquisition unit 251D are provided in the video processor 3.

The functions of the video information acquisition unit 251A and the automatic diagnosis support process information acquisition unit 251B are basically the same as those of the video information acquisition unit 51A and the automatic diagnosis support process information acquisition unit 51B in the first embodiment, respectively. In the present embodiment, the main control unit 38 of the video processor 3 outputs information for starting or stopping the recording of the endoscopic image and information for starting or stopping the automatic diagnosis support process to the data collection unit 251. Thus, the recording information acquiring unit 251A can acquire information for starting or stopping the recording of the endoscopic image, and the automatic diagnosis support processing information acquiring unit 251B can acquire information for starting or stopping the automatic diagnosis support processing.

The function of the radio environment information acquisition unit 251D is basically the same as that of the radio environment information acquisition unit 51D in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the second wireless communication unit 31A includes an environment detection circuit, not shown, for detecting the state of the wireless environment. The wireless environment information acquisition section 251D acquires, as information relating to the wireless environment, the detection result of the environment detection circuit of the second wireless communication section 31A or the amount of transferable data calculated from the detection result of the environment detection circuit. In the present embodiment, the first wireless communication unit 24A may include an environment detection circuit or may not include an environment detection circuit. In the former case, the first wireless communication section 24A outputs information on the wireless environment detected by the environment detection circuit to the second part 205 of the parameter control device via wireless communication between the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3.

The function of the scene detection section 251G is basically the same as that of the scene detection section 51G in the first embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the image processing section 32 outputs image data for detecting an endoscopic scene to the second section 205 of the parameter control device as information relating to the endoscopic scene. In the example shown in fig. 13, the endoscopic image output from the developing unit 35 of the image processing unit 32 is input to the scene detection unit 251G. The scene detector 251G detects an endoscopic scene by analyzing an endoscopic image, which is the acquired image data.

The data collection unit 251 receives a plurality of data collected by the data collection unit 151 and output from the control unit 105A. Thus, the data collection unit 251 substantially acquires a plurality of pieces of information acquired by the data collection unit 151.

The operation mode selection unit 252 determines a plurality of pieces of information acquired by the data collection unit 251 (including a plurality of pieces of information acquired by the data collection unit 151) and selects one or more operation modes. The operation mode selection method is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The parameter determination unit 253 determines a plurality of parameters based on the one or more operation modes selected by the operation mode selection unit 252. The method of determining the parameters is the same as the first embodiment.

The parameter transmitting unit 254 transmits the plurality of parameters determined by the parameter determining unit 253 to the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3. Specifically, the parameter transmitter 254 transmits the illumination parameter and the compression parameter to the controller 105A, transmits the first brightness parameter to the filter processor 34A of the restoration processor 34, and transmits the second brightness parameter to the multiplication processor 34B of the restoration processor 34. The control unit 105A outputs the received illumination parameters to the illumination unit 22, and outputs the received compression parameters to the compression processing unit 23A.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 205A, which is a main part of the parameter control device, is provided in the video processor 3. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the power consumption of the battery 25A can be reduced as compared with a case where the main part of the parameter control device is provided in the endoscope 2.

Other structures, operations, and effects in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, changes, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the parameter control device of the present invention may be a device separate from the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3.

The wireless environment information acquiring unit and the scene detecting unit of the data collecting unit may be provided in both the endoscope 2 and the video processor 3.

The power consumption reduction control may include a warning process for warning the user of execution of the power consumption reduction control, in addition to the illumination light amount changing process, the compression amount changing process, and the brightness correction process. Similarly, the wireless transmission amount reduction control may include an alarm process for giving an alarm to the user to execute the wireless transmission amount reduction control, in addition to the compression amount change process and the brightness correction process. The warning process may be performed by, for example, displaying a character indicating that the power consumption reduction control or the radio transmission amount reduction control is being executed on the display unit 4.

Claims

1. An endoscope system is characterized by comprising:

an endoscope;

a video processor physically separate from the endoscope; and

a parameter control device that controls a plurality of parameters used in the endoscope and the video processor to cause the endoscope and the video processor to execute predetermined processing,

wherein the endoscope comprises: a grip portion for a user to grip; an image pickup unit that picks up an image of a subject to generate image data; an illumination unit that illuminates the subject; a first image processing unit that performs compression processing for compressing the image data to generate compressed data; a first wireless communication unit that transmits the compressed data by wireless; and a power supply unit having a battery, the power supply unit supplying power of the battery to the image pickup unit, the illumination unit, the first image processing unit, and the first wireless communication unit,

the video processor includes: a second wireless communication unit that receives the transmitted compressed data; and a second image processing unit configured to decompress the compressed data to generate decompressed image data corresponding to the image data, and perform predetermined image processing on the decompressed image data to generate an endoscopic image,

the parameter control device includes:

a data collection unit that acquires at least two pieces of information among: information on the temperature of the grip portion, information on a wireless environment between the first wireless communication portion and the second wireless communication portion, information on a remaining amount of the battery, information on start of recording the endoscopic image, and information on start of performing an automatic diagnosis support process using the endoscopic image;

an operation mode selection unit that selects one or more operation modes from a plurality of operation modes that define operation contents of the endoscope and the video processor by determining the at least two pieces of information; and

a parameter determination unit that determines the plurality of parameters based on the one or more operation modes selected by the operation mode selection unit,

the plurality of motion modes include: a power consumption reduction mode for performing power consumption reduction control for reducing power supplied from the battery; a wireless transmission amount reduction mode for performing wireless transmission amount reduction control for reducing the amount of data transmitted from the first wireless communication unit to the second wireless communication unit; a high image quality mode for performing high image quality control for improving the image quality of the endoscopic image; and a standard mode for performing standard control in which the endoscope and the video processor are controlled without performing the power consumption reduction control, the wireless transmission amount reduction control, and the high image quality control.

2. The endoscopic system of claim 1,

the operation mode selection unit selects the power consumption reduction mode when at least one of a temperature of the grip unit being equal to or higher than a predetermined first temperature threshold value and a remaining amount of the battery being smaller than a predetermined first battery threshold value is satisfied,

the operation mode selection unit selects the radio transmission amount reduction mode when a transmittable data amount between the first radio communication unit and the second radio communication unit is smaller than a predetermined threshold value,

the operation mode selection unit selects the high image quality mode when the data collection unit acquires at least one of information for starting recording of the endoscopic image and information for starting the automatic diagnosis support process,

the operation mode selection unit selects the standard mode when all selection conditions of the power consumption reduction mode, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, and the high image quality mode are not satisfied.

3. The endoscopic system of claim 1,

the prescribed image processing includes brightness correction processing of correcting brightness of the decompressed image data,

the power consumption reduction control and the high image quality control include an illumination light amount changing process of changing an illumination light amount of the illumination unit, a compression amount changing process of changing a data amount of the compressed data, and the brightness correction process, respectively,

the wireless transmission amount reduction control includes the compression amount change processing and the brightness correction processing,

the illumination light amount changing process is a process of using an illumination parameter for specifying an illumination light amount of the illumination section,

the compression amount changing process is a process of using a compression parameter for specifying a data amount of the compressed data,

the brightness correction process is a process using a brightness parameter for specifying a relationship between a brightness before correction and a brightness after correction of the decompressed image data.

4. The endoscopic system of claim 3,

the lighting parameter in the power consumption reduction control is specified to reduce the lighting light amount as compared with the standard control,

the illumination parameter in the high image quality control is specified to increase the illumination light amount as compared with the standard control,

the compression parameter in the power consumption reduction control and the compression parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control are specified to reduce the data amount of the compressed data as compared with the standard control,

the compression parameter in the high image quality control is specified to increase the data amount of the compressed data as compared with the standard control,

the brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control is specified to enhance an effect of the brightness correction processing for brightening the endoscope image compared to the standard control,

the brightness parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control is specified so as to suppress a decrease in resolution of the endoscopic image and correct brightness of the endoscopic image as compared with the standard control,

the brightness parameter in the high image quality control is specified to weaken the effect of the brightness correction processing compared to the standard control.

5. The endoscopic system of claim 3,

the parameter determination unit determines the illumination parameter, the compression parameter, and the brightness parameter in the high image quality control as the plurality of parameters when the operation mode selection unit selects the power consumption reduction mode and the high image quality mode and the temperature of the grip unit is less than a predetermined second temperature threshold,

when the operation mode selection unit selects the power consumption reduction mode and the high image quality mode and the temperature of the grip portion is equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold, the parameter determination unit determines the illumination parameter, the compression parameter, and the brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control as the plurality of parameters.

6. The endoscopic system of claim 3,

the parameter determination unit determines the illumination parameter, the compression parameter, and the brightness parameter in the high image quality control as the plurality of parameters when the operation mode selection unit selects the power consumption reduction mode and the high image quality mode and the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined second battery threshold,

when the operation mode selection unit selects the power consumption reduction mode and the high image quality mode and the remaining amount of the battery is less than the second battery threshold, the parameter determination unit determines the illumination parameter, the compression parameter, and the brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control as the plurality of parameters.

7. The endoscopic system of claim 3,

when the operation mode selection unit selects the radio transmission capacity reduction mode and the high image quality mode, the parameter determination unit determines the illumination parameter and the brightness parameter in the high image quality control and the compression parameter in the radio transmission capacity reduction control as the plurality of parameters.

8. The endoscopic system of claim 3,

the parameter determination unit determines, as the plurality of parameters, the illumination parameter and the brightness parameter in the high image quality control and the compression parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control when the operation mode selection unit selects the power consumption reduction mode, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, and the high image quality mode and the temperature of the grip portion is lower than a predetermined second temperature threshold,

when the operation mode selection unit selects the power consumption reduction mode, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, and the high image quality mode, and the temperature of the grip portion is equal to or higher than the second temperature threshold, the parameter determination unit determines the lighting parameter and the brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control, and the compression parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control, as the plurality of parameters.

9. The endoscopic system of claim 3,

the parameter determination unit determines, as the plurality of parameters, the illumination parameter and the brightness parameter in the high image quality control and the compression parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control when the operation mode selection unit selects the power consumption reduction mode, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, and the high image quality mode and the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined second battery threshold,

when the operation mode selection unit selects the power consumption reduction mode, the wireless transmission amount reduction mode, and the high image quality mode, and the remaining amount of the battery is less than the second battery threshold, the parameter determination unit determines the illumination parameter and the brightness parameter in the power consumption reduction control, and the compression parameter in the wireless transmission amount reduction control, as the plurality of parameters.

10. The endoscopic system of claim 1,

the data collection unit includes: a temperature information acquisition unit that acquires information relating to the temperature of the grip unit; a radio environment information acquisition unit that acquires information on the radio environment; a remaining battery amount acquisition unit that acquires information relating to a remaining amount of the battery; a video information acquisition unit that acquires information for starting video recording of the endoscopic image; and an automatic diagnosis support process information acquisition unit that acquires information for starting the automatic diagnosis support process,

the wireless environment information acquisition unit, the video information acquisition unit, and the automatic diagnosis support processing information acquisition unit are provided in at least one of the endoscope and the video processor,

the temperature information acquisition unit and the remaining battery capacity acquisition unit are provided in the endoscope.

11. The endoscopic system of claim 1,

the operation mode selection unit and the parameter determination unit are provided in the endoscope.

12. The endoscopic system of claim 1,

the operation mode selection unit and the parameter determination unit are provided in the video processor.

13. A parameter control device used in an endoscope system including an endoscope and a video processor physically separated from the endoscope, the parameter control device causing the endoscope and the video processor to execute predetermined processing by controlling a plurality of parameters used in the endoscope and the video processor,

the endoscope includes: a grip portion for a user to grip; an image pickup unit that picks up an image of a subject to generate image data; an illumination unit that illuminates the subject; a first image processing unit that performs compression processing for compressing the image data to generate compressed data; a first wireless communication unit that transmits the compressed data by wireless; and a power supply unit having a battery, the power supply unit supplying power of the battery to the image pickup unit, the illumination unit, the first image processing unit, and the first wireless communication unit,

the parameter control device is characterized in that,

the parameter control device includes: